Source: MULTIFRAME
This case study has been identified through the MULTI-FRAME project.
The “Banc de Guérande” offshore wind park was commissioned in late 2022 and became the first operational offshore wind park in France. It posed challenges regarding the co-existence of offshore wind production and other sea uses, especially fishing, as the area is heavily frequented by local small-scale fishers.
However, wind developers and fishers succeeded in reaching agreements to ensure their co-existence. Notably, the park was designed based on a distance of 1 km between each turbine, to ensure that navigation was still possible. Moreover, fishers using passive gear (gears that are left in place for a period of time before retrieval) are allowed within the park. Those using active gear (gears that are moved to catch fish by trapping or encirclement) are entitled to financial compensation.
Developers, fishers' representatives and other sea users engaged in a constructive dialogue within the Maritime Spatial Planning framework in order to agree upon the location, design, construction, and operation of the wind farm. The co-designed measures aimed at avoiding, limiting and compensating the impacts of wind energy production on fishing activities.
Lessons learnt
Offshore wind energy can reach a middle ground with other activities at sea, especially with commercial fishing
Relevant links
This page is based on the Ocean Multi-use blueprint collection published by the MULTI-FRAME project.
Contacts
Benoît Figarède – EDF-R: benoit.figarede [at] edf-re.fr (benoit[dot]figarede[at]edf-re[dot]fr)